Ballards - Lake of the Woods, Minnesota

Fishing Report

Receive regular e-mails about important Ballards news!

---

05/02/2008

The countdown is on...

Hello sportsfans. And welcome to the weekly tangle here on Minnesota's Lake of the Woods.

Historic. That's how I am viewing the walleye opener which is set for next weekend. May 10 to be exact.

Yes... Historic.

Why so? Well, back in 1996 we had a winter that very much resembled the one that has so recently passed. Or, the one that is still hanging on. However you would prefer to look at it.

Either way... Both '96 and '08 have been historically comparible. Good long winters. Great ice fishing. And late ice that carries us into the month of May.

Now what most people do not realize is that "late ice" is not a "bad thing". Especially when you are talking about Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River.

For those of you in the know... You realize that the river is quite open. Along with Four-Mile Bay... And this is exactly where much of the spring fishing takes place.

So yes... To answer many calls... We have open water to fish, and we are anticipating a fantastic BIG FISH bite.

How so? History. Yes, history for those of you that were here with us back in '96. And most will attest to the big fish bite in which we encountered. It was awesome.

It was a pre and post spawn SOW bite. For the better part of May.

And now for this year? Let's hope that history repeats itself.

The countdown continues.

Set the hook!